Roy R. Mellinger to Help Drive HITRUST’s Mission to Increase Trust Among the Healthcare Industry

Apr 8, 2010

Frisco, TX – April 8, 2010 – The Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) announced today it has elected Roy R. Mellinger, CISSP-ISSAP, ISSMP, CIM, Vice President of Information Technology Security and Chief Information Security Officer for WellPoint, Inc., to the Executive Council. HITRUST is led by a seasoned management team and governed by the Executive Council, which is comprised of leaders from across the healthcare industry and other HITRUST supporting organizations. WellPoint is the nation’s largest health benefits company by membership, with more than 33 million members in its affiliated health plans.

With increased adoption of the HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF), the healthcare industry framework for protecting health information, and the desire from healthcare organizations and their business associates for a more efficient and cost-effective process for managing compliance, HITRUST is pleased to have an organization such as WellPoint with which to further collaborate on advancing the state of information protection in the healthcare industry.

“Roy’s role as WellPoint’s Chief Information Security Officer and his more than 30 years of experience in information security makes him an ideal addition to the Executive Council,” said Daniel Nutkis, Chief Executive Officer, HITRUST. “WellPoint’s position in the industry necessitates the priority it places on information protection and Roy’s experience in managing best-in-class information security programs and ensuring compliance with federal, state and other regulatory requirements will aid HITRUST well in our mission to increase trust among the healthcare industry. I am pleased to have Roy join me and the other leaders on the Executive Council. ”

As Chief Information Security Officer for WellPoint, Mellinger serves as the decision-maker on all corporate information security matters, and establishes security policy and standards for products and systems throughout the organization. He is also responsible for ensuring compliance with HIPAA security standards and other regulatory and industry mandates intended to protect sensitive information.

“The guidance and resources that HITRUST provide to the healthcare industry are all aimed at improving information protection while at the same time altering how organizations approach the compliance process so that it becomes a more streamlined, cost-efficient process that benefits all parties,” said Mellinger. “When I look across the security management landscape, many organizations, associations and consortiums are attempting to address these challenges, but I firmly believe HITRUST is in the best position to truly influence change in helping to improve the protection of healthcare information. I welcome the opportunity to be involved with the Executive Council so that we can successfully drive forward a more manageable compliance process for the industry.”

About HITRUST
The Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) was born out of the belief that information security should be a core pillar of, rather than an obstacle to, the broad adoption of health information systems and exchanges. HITRUST, in collaboration with healthcare, business, technology and information security leaders, has established the Common Security Framework (CSF), a certifiable framework that can be used by any and all organizations that create, access, store or exchange personal health and financial information. Beyond the establishment of the CSF, HITRUST is also driving the adoption of and widespread confidence in the framework and sound risk management practices through awareness, education, advocacy and other outreach activities. For more information, visit HITRUSTalliance.net.

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Media Contact
Mary Hall
HITRUST
972.330.4919
pr@HITRUSTalliance.net